Parachute



SePt- 3, 1935. D. w; KENNEDY 2,013,495

PARACHUTE Filed Feb. l, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lI l l 'HI l 'l/l/ y /7 /Z l II Il l Ill Il( Z065 14K- En 22 f D. W. KENNEDY 2,013,495

PARACHUTE Filed Feb. l, 1955 sept. 3, 1935.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. v3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

PARACHU'EE Doss William Kennedy, Matthews, Mo.'

Application February 1, 1935, Serial No. 4,534

1 Claim.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in parachutes, and more particularLv to a safety structure therefore.

Theprincipal object of the invention is to provide means for use in conjunction with parachutes I, Figure l.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 denotes the bag of the chute, with numeral 6 denoting substantially the central portion of the bag. The edge portion I of the bag has secured to the inner side thereof the circumferentially extending flexible tube 8, the tube being secured to the bag by thread-loops 9 or some other suitable means.

On the inner side of the bag and to the portion Ii thereof is suitably secured the bladder I 0 which is normally inilated with air when the chute is packed.

A exlble conduit I I extends from the bladder III and connects with the circumferential tube 8, the latter tube being provided with a valve I2 of conventional design, which when operated will release the air from the tube 8, to permit retracting of the chute after use.'

At a point where the exible' conduit II communicates with the bladder I0, an obliquely disposed barrel I3 is provided on the conduit and. has the piston valve I4 therein normally projected to a position closing oi the inside of the conduit II through the agency of a spring I5. 5 This piston valve I4 is provided with a stem I6 from which extends the cord I1 through suitable eyes I8 on the bag and along some of the guy members I9 to terminate in a ring 20 in close proximity to the suspended jumper.

When the jumper leaves theaircraft, it is a simple matter for him to pull the cord Il to move the valve I4 to an open position allowing air from the bladder Ill to pass through the conduit I I and inilate the tube 8 so that the edge 15 portion of the bag will somewhat rigidify. In other words, the bag will open up very quickly and substantially eliminate the possibility of a parachute not opening when the usual rip cord" has been pulled, after which the cord I1 is pulled 20 to open the valve I4.

While the foregoing specication sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in shape, size and material may be resorted to without departing from 25 the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

In combination with a parachute, a compressed fluid bladder secured to the inside of the paraf chute at substantially the center thereof, an annular inflatable tube of exible material at the edge portion of the parachute and suitably secured thereto, a conduit between the bladder and the annular tube, a valve in the conduit adjacent the bladder, a pull cord extending from the valve, and guide means on the parachute to which the pull cord is disposed.

' 40 DOSS WILLIAM KENNEDY. 

